Become the Butterfly

Today is a hot, humid Summer's day...96 with a heat index of 99...and what better way to enjoy it than as a butterfly, sipping nectar from a lovely zinnia (left). I wish. BTW, I took this photo standing about 4 feet away from the garden fence, where this beautiful butterfly ignored me and concentrated on the juicy flower.

Looks like we are headed for the high-90's today, with thunderstorms a'brewing for tonight and tomorrow. Same old, same old.

Of course, I have to give credit where it is due. This long, hot, wet Summer we are experiencing has been perfect for sustaining all of our beautiful blossoms. Without a doubt, the flowers of all varieties have been the biggest, prettiest, showiest (add superlative here) we've seen in...well, in forever! Hooray!



Not so for the veggie garden, I'm afraid. The weeds are about the only things that are growing great there. Upon reflection, I acknowledge two major mistakes:

1. I rushed to plant, especially my tomatoes and my onion sets. True confession: I wanted that first tomato to come in by July 4th. Well, I reached that goal on July 1st, but it happened on one of the Patio Tomatoes in containers on the deck. Waiting for the ground to dry a bit to allow at least one more pass with the tiller...and adding some more compost and garden soil on that last pass...might have made a huge difference. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.



2. I didn't get a chance to add my usual 4 bales of straw (over newspaper) as mulch after planting to keep the weeds in check. Now, instead of a lovely, productive kitchen garden, I have a weed patch with a few leggy tomato plants...and some rather hardy cucumber vines.

Yep, the cukes are out-producing the tomatoes by about 4-to-1 (as you can see in the photo, right, above). Soooo, looks like I'm making pickles soon, doesn't it? (BTW, I ate that tomato in the picture for lunch that very day...:)

At least the dogs know how to behave during these Dog Days of Summer. They stay indoors where there's air conditioning...and sleep through the hottest part of the day. Smart.

I'm taking a page out of their books and trying spend a few of those mid-day hours inside with the cool AC, the ceiling fan on high, a glass of iced tea with lemon by my side, and needles in hand. I've recently finished my Bliss-ful Striped Cardigan (left), made from Debbie Bliss's Cotton Cashmere yarn in yellow, blue, and white (no link available as this yarn has been discontinued, I know not why as it is soooooo soft). I modified a Classic Elite pattern for a Striped Cardigan and added the blue and white star-shaped buttons. Yippee! Now, if only the temps would dip a bit for me to be able to wear it...:)

And, on the stix at the moment is a modified Metro Pullover (pattern from Oat Couture) for Nana/Momma/Edith in Queensland's Bebe Cotsoy (50% cotton, 50% soy) yarn in a cornflower blue color #1. I finished the back and front while I was dog-sitting Ella Rae last week in L'ville, and I am now ready to three-needle bind-off the shoulder seams. Next up...after N/M/E tries on the unfinished shell...are the sleeves, which are knitted onto the sweater instead of separately. Then, last but not least, the collar (also knitted on by picking up stitches). A couple of side seams...a little steam from the iron...and it will be done.

It had better be done before August 8th, or it will get sidelined. I've signed up for the Ravelympics 2008 Sweater Sprint, meaning I've committed to casting on a sweater during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on 8/8/08 and completing said sweater by the Closing Ceremony on August 24th. No pressure! I've decided on my yarn (more on that later) and the pattern (a 3/4 sleeve, boxy, garter-stitch cardigan...I think). Counting down the clock!

Speaking of dogs...and I was, several paragraphs ago...check out this Puppy Cam link. If you are lucky, you will get to see a litter of Basset Hound puppies in Wisconsin in all their glory: http://www.oldefashion.com/puppycam. Enjoy!

Pets and Projects

Oh wow! After much work and more moolah, we finally got the water in the pond all cleared up, and it was truly worth the trouble and expense. I took my camera out tonight at feeding time and got this shot of Tiger (the Calico Ryukin, on the left in the photo to the left)...and one of the TEN newest members of the wet-set (on the right in the photo, with the circle for emphasis). Yep, we are the proud pet parents of 10 fish babies. We also have two other "big fish" in residence: Jaws (a large-and-in-charge red-orange Pond Comet) and Goldy Spawn (a Red Ryukin). Of the babies, it appears that we have 2 red/black mixes and (at least) 8 black ones. So, if I remember my high school biology class correctly, that means Tiger is one of the parents, right?

While I'm doing the Pet Report, I should offer an update on Ella Rae, (left) Missy M's darling dachshund-mix. She's thriving...gaining a whole pound at her Vet visit...livin' large in L'ville.


While I was there last week, I snapped this shot (right, below), during one of her naps, adding the TV remote for a point of reference for her size. She's t-i-n-y, compared to the Hounds at Home. But, my oh my, what a bundle of energy she is! I cried when I had to leave her, as I'd gotten quite attached...but I had my Basset buddies to comfort me when I landed at Lambert.

As I'd been away for a week, Mr. T and I enjoyed the day together on Saturday. We headed to the Wine Country Gardens to pick up my daylilies and have a leisurely lunch, discussing our various projects. Then, acting on a whim and an ad in a gardening circular, we checked out a garden and kitchen shop just over the MO River in Wildwood, called Wells & Co. Oh yeah. Good choice. We found "just the right" Mexican metal trellis for the new rose bed, and I brought home a super new bright yellow Kuhn-Rikon Paring Knife.

Of course, there was one teensy, little problem. The trellis is about 6 1/2 feet tall...and the trunk of Mr. T's car is neither that wide nor that long. "No worries," says he. "We'll stand it up through the sunroof." And, we did!! All the way home...20 miles of wind whistling through the tines of the sunburst on the trellis top...20 miles of bubble wrap (kindly provided to keep the metal from scratching the car) flapping in the breeze. [Here's a photo of the packing process (left).] Oh...and, I was able to get the paring knife home inside the car...no bubble wrap or special consideration needed. Tee hee.

Meet Ella Rae!

A warm welcome indeed to our newest family member...Ella Rae! She's a 9-week old dachshund-mix puppy who adopted Missy M on Friday...and we've had a wonderful weekend introducing her to the Drool Gang here in MO. I guess we'll have to change the name of the 'Gang to the Happy Hounds in order to include this beautiful little lady in the count.

Here's an action shot from one of her frequent romps in our back yard (right).

Believe me when I say there will be more about Ella in the future...but for now I have to run. Just wanted you all to be the first to meet her!

HB to Me!

Yesterday was a very happy day indeed for me...my 55th birthday! As Mr. T had business in KS, Mom and I made a day out of it, with a visit to the Wine Country Gardens for lunch and to attend the Daylily Festival. We rounded out the day with a Devil's Food Birthday cake (photo, left) from our newest bakery in town, Heaven Scent Bakery, and Rainbow Sherbet from Baskin Robbins. Yummy!

At the Daylily Festival, we were fortunate enough to snag one of the golf carts, so we could zip around the 42 acres of gorgeous blooms, taking pictures and tagging purchases. This was the first year that they have allowed customers to tag the blooming plants in the field for purchase...and they will dig your selected plant and call later for pick up (and yet another chance to visit...:).

Here's a photo of Mom in the cart (right), surrounded by a background of color. In the foreground is the Wayside King Royale, a purple variety that we tagged for Missy M, who had asked us recently if there were such a thing as a purple daylily. This is as close as we could find to her specifications!

We also tagged a lovely bright yellow variety named Atlanta Full House (of course that one was a favorite!).

And, we purchased pots of varieties called South Seas (a gorgeous coral color; see photo to left) and Hyperion (a tall, clear yellow). Woo-hoo!!

Of course, it's mid-July...so, in addition to being time for my B'day, it's also time for the All Star Game (played on Tuesday night...and into Wednesday morning!) And, it's also HOT. Hot, hot, hot. And, dry, too, believe it or not. Still, Mom and I were most impressed on our drive along Missouri's Weinstrasse (Wine Road...AKA Highway 94 through St. Charles County) with how GREEN everything was. We remarked on more than one occasion that it looked more like June than July.

After we got home, I toured the yard trying to locate appropriate spots to plant the newest members of our Daylily Team, and I snapped these photos of some that are currently in bloom. The Waysides (bright orange) have about finished their show, as have many of the others. But, just beginning are the Chicago Comanches (big, bright red ones), the Texas Choice (big, bright yellow ones), and the Blanche Browns (full, creamy white ones). See what you think!

Water's Still High

I went to Election Judge Training last Thursday (as I'm working at our local precinct for the upcoming August Primary Election). Since the flooding in our area is no longer the leading story on the news (either local or national), thoughts of all that water in the areas around us have receded from my focus. However, it was brought home with a question from a fellow judge at the class, who asked: "What do we do about people who have been flooded out of their homes (AKA their permanent address...the one on the election books) and have temporary addresses (and probably no ID with that particular address)?" Yes, there are plenty of people in this very county who are still dealing daily with the seemingly endless problems of the high water.

But, we are high and dry where we live, thank goodness. We're between the mighty rivers, with the Mississippi to the north (about 12 miles) and the east (about 40 miles), and the Missouri to the south (about 13 miles). And, although I hate to cross any of the bridges over either of the rivers due to the high water, I've learned to just drive in the middle lane...don't look left, don't look right.

Maybe you can tell from the photo (right) that the Missouri, shown here at the Klondike Boat Ramp area off Highway 94 in St. Charles County, has receded just a bit from the "high water mark" on the opposite bank (which is a piece of St. Louis County known as the LaBadie Bottoms). Can you also see the debris rushing down the river? Yes, the current is swift, and the river is made even more treacherous by all the stuff: logs, branches, trash, etc. Mother Nature at her scariest, for sure.

Jolly July

"It's beginning to look a lot like"...July around here! We were beginning to wonder when we got up on July 4th to find temps in the mid-70's, blue skies, and low humidity...altogether strange, but welcome, weather for MO. Missy M was here for the Holiday Weekend, so we made the most of being able to get some sun on the deck without wilting: we filled the plastic wading pool with deliciously cool water, pulled our chairs up to the sides and dipped our toes in the water! Ahhhh...fantastic! Daiquiri, please, waiter.

Never fear...that didn't last long. Today, the thermometer is at 92 and counting, and the humidity weighs heavy on anyone braving the out-of-doors. I went out to snap some shots of any new blooms we had today and felt like someone had slapped a wet blanket on my face. Breathe! Of course, this is what all those flowers live for, isn't it?

First of all, check out this daylily (left, top) called [drum-roll, please...] "Patricia." It's a sunny-yellow, double-ruffled, fluffy flower on a short stalk...no comparisons, please...:)


Here's a photo (right) of the newest "Dad's Best White" daylilies, purchased this year at Wine Country Gardens daylily "farm" in Defiance, MO. We've got two more "Dad's" growing in the back yard, but this is the largest, showiest blossom on that particular variety for us, and it's in a prominent spot out front.





Next up, a gorgeous bloom on the "Rose Emily" daylily, pictured left (corrected 7/29/08)...a purchase from the daylily farm a couple of years ago. I recall a tiny blossom last year, but nothing like this! The camera doesn't do the colors justice, I'm afraid. The rose color is richer, and the green center is lime-y-er, if possible. Amazing! Right now, this beauty is almost hidden out of sight, under a canopy of maple trees, so I'll have to come up with a better location to show it off, as well as some companion plants that will complement the colors.


As promised in an earlier post, here's a photo (right) of one of the newest varieties: "Charles Johnston" (the red one). We planted this recently in the front bed by the driveway, where we have two white crepe myrtles... which are just now beginning to bud, hopefully to bloom at the end of the week or so.

And, last but by no means least, here's a favorite since 2004: Texas Choice (left). We have a couple of these giant beauties planted on the side, next to some red roses (which aren't in bloom at the moment), and they have never failed to just take our breath away.

The flowers do look like jewels in our yard, no doubt. But, everything looks a good bit better...a good deal neater...after Mr. T spent hours on Saturday with the hedge clipper and trimmers. Wow! Some of our [previously overgrown] shrubs look like they just got their first boot-camp clipping! We had postponed this necessary work in the beds out front due to our resident robin family who had built their nest in the Japanese Maple [which needed a good pruning]. Well, it looks like Junior has flown the nest...indeed, it appears that all have moved out together...so, Mr. T could wait no longer.

Needless to say, Missy M and I elected to spend our holiday Saturday in St. Charles, checking out the new location for Knit and Caboodle. Now, I ask you...which one of those activities would you rather do? Acquiring more yarn stash ingredients after strolling down a lovely cobblestone street in Missouri's First Capitol "city," or whacking overgrowth and weeding? Honestly...

I almost forgot to post a photo of Nana's new room...you know, the "From Purple to Peach" transformation? When she arrived home from her visit with J&J, she seemed quite happy with all the changes.


Mr. T and I also repainted her bathroom, taking it from Electric Yellow to a Cafe au Lait color (which looks remarkably like Missy M's house). The accents are still in blue, but the whole effect is one of calm and relaxation. Spa-like, I believe some of the magazines call it.

What a Good Weekend We Enjoyed

I imagine that my definition of a "good" weekend and your definition might be a bit different. Let's see how ours went...

• From Purple to Peach: We got a huge step ahead on getting Nana/Momma/Edith's room redecorated. You might recall that she is visiting J&J in TN for a couple of weeks, so we took advantage of her absence to get her room re-painted (so she won't have to breath in all those nasty paint fumes). In the photo (right), Mr. T is using our *favorite* painting roller "system" called the PaintStick to quickly apply the first...and ONLY...coat of Kilz' Casual Color A7, "Apricot Glow" over the previously-purple walls. (My job was to do the cutting-in...not nearly as exciting, huh?) How does he stay so clean? I always get more paint on me (and other surfaces...more on that later) than I do on the walls. Sigh. Anyway, I discovered this paint at WalMart the other day...it said it was a TRUE one-coat coverage brand. And, since we were going to prime the walls with Kilz (which we have learned to tint with the paint color), we thought we'd give the Kilz paint a try. Woo-hoo! It's a keeper!! Although we had to purchase 2 gallons for the bedroom (because the handy-dandy PaintStick takes nearly 1/4 can just to fill the stick and the roller the first time), we only used one coat...and had about 2/3 of the second gallon left over. It looks so pretty! Today, I'm sewing a valance for the window, and if I have any fabric left over, I'll stitch up a pillow or two also. Then, I'll pull it all together with new sheets in Antique Linen and quilted coverlet in Shell. I'll post a picture of the finished product later on this week.


• Doggie Spa Day: We loaded up the pups for a short ride to the groomers for a much-needed Spa Day...or, as I sometimes call it "Fluff & Fold." Although it will take Elmo (right, in the picture to the right) two days to recover from the trauma, they all look...and SMELL...so much better! And, we don't have to listen to their nails click-click-click on the floors, either, since they all got peticures! Here, you see Mr. T taking the Drool Gang for the pre-ride fear-poop walk. You might notice that Duchess (left, in the picture to the right) has made her contribution(s), hence the tell-tale blue bag...and the smile on her face...:)


• All Work and No Play Ain't Ever a Good Day: While the dogs were away for several hours on Sunday, we grabbed the opportunity to visit a favorite, Wine Country Gardens in Defiance, MO...which I usually just call "the daylily farm." Wow....what fabulous changes they have incorporated for 2008. They now have a huge air conditioned dining area and pavilion to replace the stand-up counter in the cafe. They've nearly doubled their outside eating area, adding to the covered porches a patio that overlooks the Missouri River valley. Everything was so green...and fortunately the Missouri hadn't (yet) flooded the fields below. We enjoyed the Rosemary Chicken Salad on croissants...with the tastiest *hot* fresh potato chips on the side. [We would have indulged in the wine, too, but were afraid that we wouldn't be alert enough , shall we say, to finish our painting activities back home. Too bad. I guess that means that we shall return...and soon!] We limited our shopping to the main area, foregoing the fun ride in the golf cart out to the daylily acres (I told you...we need to go back for that!). No worries...we loaded up our wagon with plants: 2 Dad's Best White, 2 Grape Magic (purple), 2 Charles Johnston (red), and 1 Upper Crust Peach daylilies; a huge coleus for an actual shady spot in the front yard; a pot of Shasta daisies; and some interesting varigated sweet iris. The really good news...we got home in time to get everything in the ground. I'll post some photos of the newest daylilies when they bloom...which should be soon, very soon indeed.


• Pick Up the Sticks: I also got back to work on my Bliss-ful Three-Stripes Cardigan, when I picked up the sticks to watch the newest "Inspector Lewis" on Masterpiece Theatre (thanks to Missy M for calling us to alert us to the Sunday schedule...love it, love it, love it! Follow the link to see clips of the 3 in Series 1). I've been trying to finish a few of those UFO's that got stuck at the bottom of the project bag. Here, in the photo, are a couple of pairs of baby socks out of some Jeannette left-overs (fabulous cotton yarn...bought it in Pawleys Island, SC, a couple of years ago; made baby sweaters for twins with the majority of it) and another beaded crocheted bracelet. I do love it when I can move some stragglers to the "Done" list, don't you?


• Drop cloth...what drop cloth: And, even though it didn't exactly feel "good" at the time, I may have hastened the installation of those wood floors I've been contemplating for the dining room and den (she said, sheepishly). I was headed downstairs to clean the paint brushes, etc., when Mr. T's sharp intake of breath alerted me to impending disaster. It seems that I was dripping peach-colored paint from the Paintstick onto the beige carpeting...no, not dripping...I was swirling it in a Jackson Pollack-inspired design! We grabbed cleaning supplies and started to work at removing it...and, giving him credit, Mr. T did a fantastic job of removing most of it, after about the 4th or 5th attempt (I gave up after about the 2nd try). I don't suppose anyone will ever believe me when I say that I didn't do that on purpose. Hmmm...now, what color wood floor would look best...?